On March 12th, 2015, 11 bank officers in Bangladesh, Philippines and Pakistan, who are engaged in micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) finance and member of Asia Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA), arrived in Japan for attending the study visit program in Japan.

Center for Training and Research in Agricultural Banking (CENTRAB) which is a ramification of APRACA implements international training program for bank members of APRACA in foreign countries on purpose of improving MSMEs financial support system and agricultural finance. This study visit program is implemented as a part of international study programs organized by CENTRAB since 2010. In this year, JICE developed the program contents with the latest agricultural technology, other innovative industries and their financial support system in addition to the former programs.

On starting on March 13th, the participants had a lecture by Mr. Noriyuki Koyanagi, Group Chief of Information Planning Group and Mr. Yoshitake Shimizu, Deputy Group Chief in Charge of International Cooperation in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food Business Unit of Japan Finance Corporation. The program carried out site visit on cutting-edge innovative vegetable factory and farmer’s market, lecture of the financial system at MSME by Johnan Shinkin Bank, and discussion about Japanese agricultural financing policies and financial system with Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

In the end of this program, JICE held a wrap-up session and conferment of completion of the program, and on the following day 18th March, the participants started on their way home country.

This one week program contains further topics enabling problem solving discussion through not only lectures about agricultural finance and MSMEs financial support system but also seeing actual successful examples and on-going problems on site. The participants clarified the problems in their country and developed more active discussion for applying the experience obtained through this program for solving the problems. The participants had a good impression toward Japanese culture and their working attitude.

JICE will continuously endeavor to improve the program and contribute for human resource development in Asia.